Thirty-eight individuals have been charged with offenses including drug trafficking, carjacking, assault on law enforcement, use of firearms during violent crimes, unlawful possession of firearms, and immigration violations. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire for the Middle District of Tennessee.
The charges result from investigations conducted by the Nashville Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF), which operates under Executive Order 14159 aimed at protecting against criminal organizations such as cartels and foreign gangs. The HSTF brings together multiple federal agencies to investigate and prosecute crimes related to these groups, with a focus on child trafficking and removing violent offenders from the country.
Agencies involved in the Nashville HSTF include Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI), U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), United States Marshals Service (USMS), United States Secret Service (USSS), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other partners. Prosecutions are being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee.
“These efforts illustrate law enforcement’s commitment to stop gang violence, combat the scourge of fentanyl overdoses here in Middle Tennessee, and hold offenders accountable for the havoc they have wreaked on our community,” said Acting U.S. Attorney McGuire. “Working together as part of the Homeland Security Task Force, these agencies have made our communities throughout Middle Tennessee safer and stronger.”
Several specific cases were highlighted:
- In United States vs. Rodriguez and Mendoza, Victor Alfonso Paez Rodriguez and Jesus Mendoza Viera are accused of trafficking fentanyl from Mexico into middle Tennessee.
- In United States v. Copeland, five defendants face charges related to smuggling drugs into Trousdale County Correctional Facility.
- In United States v. Bangeas, Debyi Bangeas is charged with carjacking and firearm offenses.
- In United States v. Contreras Arita, three individuals linked to MS-13 are charged with drug trafficking and assaulting a federal officer.
- Other cases involve charges ranging from illegal firearm possession to methamphetamine distribution conspiracies involving multiple defendants.
Crossville has seen an increase in overdose deaths connected to fentanyl; some are alleged to be tied to defendants in one case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katy Risinger, Joshua Kurtzman and Emily Petro are prosecuting these cases; Risinger serves as Lead HSTF Attorney for Nashville.
Authorities remind that indictments or complaints are allegations only; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
